Loughborough Uni to open £7m Elite Athlete Centre and hotel

Loughborough University is creating a £7m Elite Athlete Centre and 44-bedroom hotel (EAC), due to open autumn 2018.

The facility, set within the University campus and sports facilities, will be run by Imago Venues, Loughborough University's hotel, conference and events provider.

The venue will provide a sports hotel focusing on rest, relaxation, and access to facilities for athletes, businesses and fitness enthusiasts. £1m of the EAC's build cost has been funded by UK Sport as part of its £200m plan to invest in areas hosting the next 10 years of international sporting events, starting in 2020.

Loughborough University's executive director of sport, John Steele, said: "The Elite Athlete Centre is an outstanding addition to Loughborough's already excellent sporting heritage and combines with existing facilities to provide a truly world class venue for high performance athletes and teams."

The EAC will have 20 altitude rooms, a nutrition lounge, café and athletes' relaxation area and seminar space for 30, packages will include access to coaches, sports scientists and support staff. Quiet Zones and Passive Zones will provide areas to relax or take part in activities such as yoga and pilates, while the Active Zone will include a climbing and bouldering wall.

Eight bedrooms will be wheelchair accessible, and the other 36 will have the ability to convert into accessible rooms.

Emma Boynton, head of sales and marketing at Imago Venues, added: "The EAC is not just an exciting addition to our portfolio, it is also an opportunity to further demonstrate our position as a global leader in the provision of inspiring and aspirational accommodation, conference and events spaces."

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